Gills midfielder Charlie Lee saw his early shot well saved by Stanley keeper Sean Murdoch, and also had his goal-bound header cleared off the line by Dean Winnard, while Accrington's Kevin McIntyre forced a smart save out of Gillingham keeper Ross Flitney shortly before half-time.

Lewis Montrose blazed over following a smart interchange between Rooney and Barry Fuller on the Gillingham right, before Rooney's teasing effort called Murdoch into action once again.

Winnard could have opened the scoring shortly before the hour mark, but his weak header from a Craig Lindfield corner was easily saved by Flitney.

Craney wasted a golden opportunity just minutes after coming on, but made amends for the miss when he fired past Flitney from Luke Joyce's neat assist.

Their lead was short lived as referee Darren Sheldrake gave Gillingham a penalty for a Lewis Moult foul on Danny Kedwell, which Rooney duly converted.